2016 Caribbean, Alaska strength help lift Carnival Corp. pricing

For Carnival's North American brands, Caribbean occupancy is 'well ahead' at higher pricing and Alaska occupancy is 'nicely ahead' at higher pricing. Bernstein noted 2015 was a 'great' year for Alaska, with 2016 'shaping up to be even better.'

The first quarter will be stronger than in 2015, mainly because of comparisons to Caribbean pricing. This past year pricing in the second, third and fourth quarters was up more year over year than in Q1, when the Caribbean was absorbing a large capacity increase.

As for Europe itineraries for the North American brands, occupancy is ahead, at lower pricing, mainly due to currency, Bernstein said.

There has been some impact from geopolitical events in southern Europe, too.

'You see the blip, but it has started to improve. We feel very good about the trend,' Bernstein said.

Booked loads and pricing for Carnival's Europe, Australia and Asia brands are similar to last year.

Carnival's overall capacity growth in 2016 is 3.5%. Capacity in Europe and the Caribbean will be rising less than 2%. There's a big jump in China, 60%, but that market still comprises just a 5% share of the company's capacity.